Cooling arrangement

Abstract

A cooling arrangement includes an insulation module surrounding an insulated object and is formed by an internal layer, an external layer, and insulation material located between them. The external layer of the insulation module is surrounded by a protective enclosure so that at least one air gap is provided between the external layer and the protective enclosure. The insulation module has at least one exchange aperture penetrating it at least in part with the first cooling element provided to it. The second cooling element opposite to the first cooling element is provided to the external air gap so that at least one thermoelectric generator is arranged between them. The protective enclosure surrounding the insulation module is provided with a venting aperture penetrating it, and a fan utilizing the electric power produced by the thermoelectric generator is provided for increasing the efficiency of the airflow in the air gap.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A cooling arrangement comprising:
 an insulation module surrounding an insulated object, wherein the insulation module is formed of an inner layer and an outer layer with an insulation material being provided between the inner and the outer layers, and 
 a protective enclosure surrounding at least in part the outer layer such that at least one air gap is provided between the outer layer and the protective enclosure, wherein: 
 the insulation module comprises at least one exchange aperture penetrating the insulation module, 
 a first cooling element is provided to the at least one exchange aperture, the first cooling element at least partially enclosing the at least one exchange aperture, and 
 a second cooling element opposite to the first cooling element is provided to the at least one air gap so that at least one thermoelectric generator is arranged between the second cooling element and the first cooling element, 
 the protective enclosure is provided with a venting aperture penetrating the protective enclosure, and a fan utilizing electric power produced by the thermoelectric generator is provided to the venting aperture to increase the flow in the at least one air gap, and 
 the at least one air gap comprises several parallel channels. 
 
     
     
       2. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one exchange aperture is provided in the insulation module at least in one of the following locations with respect to the insulated object surrounded by the insulation module: above it, below it, and to a side of it. 
     
     
       3. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is configured to draw air from the at least one air gap. 
     
     
       4. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein that the fan is configured to blow air to the at least one air gap. 
     
     
       5. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the airflow in the at least one air gap is disruptable to provide a turbulent flow. 
     
     
       6. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling arrangement comprises a splash shield configured to protect the fan so that a venting aperture is provided between the splash shield and the protective enclosure. 
     
     
       7. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor is provided in connection with the fan to locate leaks appearing inside the insulating module. 
     
     
       8. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 7 , wherein the sensor is at least one of the following: a nitrogen oxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, and a temperature sensor. 
     
     
       9. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan comprises a wireless data connection for monitoring and adjusting its operation. 
     
     
       10. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulation module comprises several fans connected to each other with a wired connection. 
     
     
       11. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulated object is covered by several insulation modules, each said insulation module having a fan, the fans being connected to each other with a wired connection. 
     
     
       12. A cooling arrangement of an exhaust pipe of an engine, comprising:
 an insulation module surrounding the exhaust pipe of the engine, wherein the insulation module is formed of an inner layer and an outer layer with an insulation material being provided between the inner and the outer layers, and 
 a protective enclosure surrounding at least in part the outer layer such that at least one air gap is provided between the outer layer and the protective enclosure, the at least one air gap is arranged to ventilate the insulation module so that an airflow sweeping the outer layer is generated in the at least one air gap, wherein: 
 the insulation module comprises at least one exchange aperture penetrating the insulation module, 
 a first cooling element is provided to the at least one exchange aperture, the first cooling element at least partially enclosing the at least one exchange aperture, and 
 a second cooling element opposite to the first cooling element is provided to the at least one air gap so that at least one thermoelectric generator is arranged between the second cooling element and the first cooling element, and 
 the protective enclosure is provided with a venting aperture penetrating the protective enclosure, and a fan utilizing electric power produced by the thermoelectric generator is provided to the venting aperture to increase the flow in the at least one air gap. 
 
     
     
       13. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the height of the at least one air gap is 10-50 mm as measured from an outer surface of the outer layer to an inner surface of the protective enclosure. 
     
     
       14. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one air gap comprises several parallel channels. 
     
     
       15. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the cooling arrangement comprises a splash shield configured to protect the fan so that a venting aperture is provided between the splash shield and the protective enclosure. 
     
     
       16. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one sensor is provided in connection with the fan to locate leaks appearing inside the insulating module. 
     
     
       17. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is at least one of the following: a nitrogen oxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, and a temperature sensor. 
     
     
       18. The cooling arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the fan comprises a wireless data connection for monitoring and adjusting its operation. 
     
     
       19. An engine comprising the cooling arrangement of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       20. The engine of  claim 19 , further comprising an exhaust pipe, wherein the insulated object is the exhaust pipe.